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How to Avoid Unsafe Driving during the Holiday Season

Friday, January 15th, 2010

The winter season is a time for food, family and quite a bit of fun. However, in terms of motorist driving safety, it’s one of the most dangerous times of the year to be on the road. More accident claims are made against car insurance policies during the winter than during any other time of the year, and it’s not too difficult to see why. Millions of drivers take to the road to visit relatives’ houses during the holidays, resulting in packed roads all across the country. That would make the holiday season dangerous enough, but usually things are complicated by harsh winter weather. Snow can bring down visibility and get vehicles stuck, and ice can cause vehicles to lose traction.

Many drivers opt to avoid winter driving as much as possible, and this isn’t a bad strategy. You can’t get into an accident if you’re not in your car, after all. To increase your chances of being able to stay off the road, go and stock up on groceries and other minor items that might put you out on the roads during a snowstorm or in other dangerous conditions. Try using public transportation if it’s available. This helps to cut down on congestion, and it’ll save your car insurance policy from taking a hit.

Sometimes, of course, it’s a bit unreasonable to avoid driving entirely — depending on the area that you live, you might absolutely need to drive. This is especially true for rural motorists. In these cases, an ounce of prevention can go a long ways. Take your car in for check-up and maintenance before the winter weather makes driving hazardous. Have brake pads and tires checked. This could save you a hefty repair bill later on, and you’ll decrease the risk of a vehicle-caused accident due to an unresponsive or malfunctioning vehicle. If you live in the country or around mountains, you might consider having snow tires put on your vehicle. While this is expensive, remember that you don’t have to trade in your old tires. Keep them at home and then switch them out again when the weather gets warmer. Switching between tires can provide helpful extra traction, which will make driving a lot safer. Additionally, your car insurance might even drop a bit if you inform your insurer of these changes.

Keeping your vehicle maintained and staying off of the road when possible will make your holiday driving safer. But, don’t forget the most important element: your own driving skills. Pay close attention when driving in the winter and even practice your ice and snow driving skills in an empty parking lot. Your car insurance bill will look much more festive as a result.

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How to Prevent Accidents during Risky Holiday Driving

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

The holidays should be a season of joy and pleasure shared with friends and family. However, they also mean winter driving to and from those fun Christmas gatherings. So be prepared for holiday driving by practicing some safety precautions and keeping in mind some important information when taking road trips. Here are some tips for safer driving this holiday season:

• Prepare your Vehicle for Winter Driving
It pays to give your vehicle a check-up before hitting the road. Make sure that your windshield wiper blades are functioning properly. And, depending on your location and where you are traveling to, check if you will need to replace them with snow blades. It can also be beneficial to have your mechanic check your vehicle’s anti-freeze or coolant to make sure they are at the right levels for optimal driving.

In addition to making sure your tires are in optimal condition and properly inflated; consider your surroundings and whether they are they appropriate choice. Should you live in a location where snow is a certainty, don’t rely on all-season tires. Install snow tires instead. Snow tires are composed of much softer materials and have different tread designs that allow better gripping and traction abilities.

You vehicle should also be well stocked with basic emergency tools and equipment just in case you get stalled or get in an accident. Keep the following items in your trunk: extra clothing, blankets, snacks, beverages, matches, candles, a flashlight, flares, a radio, long jumper cables, a windshield scraping device, a small shovel and a tow rope.

• Invest in Car Insurance
No matter how well you take care of your vehicle, and despite the safety precautions you take as a driver, you can’t predict the future. You may get in an accident — a time when having car insurance coverage is important. Therefore, investing in good car insurance will protect you and your loved ones against any loss if an accident does happen.

• Be a Responsible Driver
Safety precautions do not end with a car in tip-top shape, a loaded emergency kit, and a comprehensive car insurance plan. As a driver, you personally have to take special measures as well.

Never drink and drive. Celebrations may be an excuse for some drinking but if you’re driving — especially on slippery roads — think twice before having another serving of alcohol. And, when you are driving, drive slower. Also make sure in that you, and all your passengers, are buckled up and secured in the vehicle properly.

Winter driving around the holidays can be especially risky, as there are an increased number of drivers on the road. But, by following these tips, you will be able to minimize your risk of being in an accident.

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Safe Driving Tips for Mobile Phone Users

Friday, September 25th, 2009

If you’re not one of the millions of Americans who dials while driving, it is likely you know someone who does. This practices is known to increase the risk for accidents and traffic fines. Avoiding roadway incidents can help keep insurance rates in check. Here are some approaches to staying safer on the street.

* Limit phone use: While this is the most obvious method, it’s one that may be difficult for some drivers. The Pew Internet and American Life Project has tracked how Americans are becoming more connected through (and to) their mobile devices. However, research by institutions like Carnegie Mellon University show that mobile devices distract the driver, whether the device is being operated manually or hands-free. Drivers who are attentive to the road ahead can better react to obstacles in the street, changing conditions, and other drivers.

* Know the law: The National Safety Council keeps updated information about states that restrict mobile device use while driving. Restrictions limit behavior such as manual operation of devices while driving (versus hands-free use), driving while texting, and use of devices by teenagers. Also, NSC’s website indicates whether police officers apply these laws as a primary enforcement (motorists can be stopped for breaking the law) or as a secondary enforcement (motorists can be held accountable only if stopped for other reasons.) Learn the rules of the road to avoid these fines.

* Keep your hands on the wheel: Punching buttons and looking at your mobile’s screen while driving is dangerous. Hands-free devices aren’t optimal for driving safety, but they can prevent you from losing sight of what’s ahead. Most manufacturers sell systems for mounting phones in your car. Think about the design of your car before buying since your interior may be more suited to a specific mount, such as one that sits above your radio or connects to the windshield. To start talking hands-free, explore the features of your device. Most have slots to plug in ear bud headsets, which keep your conversations private from passengers. Also, some phones come with “speaker” buttons to amplify calls and pick up your voice. Newer devices use Bluetooth technology, which allows the driver to employ a headset similar to the ear buds but without any wires. Also, with Bluetooth-enabled cars, drivers can turn their stereo into a system for communicating with the other caller. Test any of these methods before getting on the road so that calls take place without the distraction of making adjustments.

With all of the above, remind yourself while driving just what the stakes are if a lapse in attention happens at the wrong moment. Above all else, stay “in touch” with the road.

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No Fault Accident…Why the Increase?

Friday, September 25th, 2009

There you are, sitting at a stop sign waiting for the cross traffic to pass when you are rear ended. Hopefully in this instance the impact from the collision wasn’t enough to cause physical harm to you or your passengers. But either way, through no fault of your own, you were just involved in an accident. With all of the things that are going through your mind, there is at least the relief knowing that the accident was not your fault and therefore you don’t have to worry about your car insurance rates going up.

Or do you?

It really depends. If you have had a spotless record up to this point you probably have nothing to worry about. However, if you have had an accident or any other infraction before you were rear-ended then your chances of seeing a spike in your premiums will greatly increase. This is because insurance companies can view you as accident prone for a length of time that is only known to them and will vary depending on the company you are with.

Time Heals All

Many companies have a forgiveness policy that writes off past accidents and tickets after a predetermined length of time. The length of time varies from company to company but averages about three years, with some offering as little and as two years or as much as five years. If this is the case there is less of a chance of your premiums going up.

Define Fault

Another aspect that will come in to consideration is who the authorities rule to actually be at fault during the accident. This is especially true in accidents that are a little more complicated than a simple rear end collision. While you may feel that the maniac in the other car was clearly at fault as you went through the changing light, the police on the scene may view it completely differently.

Accident Frequency

The actual number of accidents you have been in, even if they are all deemed no fault, will have an adverse effect on your insurance rates. Your insurance company will most likely feel that even though the police found you innocent of any wrong doing, there has to be some reason as to why you are continually getting into accidents. Are you cursed? Does someone have a personal vendetta against you? All the insurance company knows is that you’re costing them money. They may even feel like you are purposely staging accidents to get some extra cash.

If you have recently been in an accident that was no fault of yours but have still seen a rise in your insurance rates you may want to take these factors into consideration. If you feel that none of this applies to you the best thing to do is contact your insurance representative. They will be able to give you the information needed to argue the increase or at least to understand why.

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How To Prevent Car Thefts

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Over one million cars are stolen in the United States every year. Auto theft is not just an inconvenience, it is costly. Even if you are covered by insurance, a stolen car may result in lost wages, rental car costs, and the payment of an insurance deductible as well as the cost of paying higher car insurance premiums.

While they make the news more often, car hijackings only account for about 3% of stolen vehicles. Most often, cars are stolen when they are empty and parked. Types of vehicles most likely targeted vary from region to region. It is not just newer cars that are at risk – many older cars are attractive targets for their parts.

Listed below are five steps you can take to reduce the risk of having your car stolen and to avoid paying higher car insurance rates:

Step 1 – Use common sense. Be cognizant of your surroundings. When parking your car, look for a well-lighted area. Do not leave important papers, such as bank statements, wallets or purses in the vehicle. Make sure the windows are rolled up and the doors are locked. Never leave an extra set of keys in the vehicle and never leave your car while it’s running.

Step 2 – Take your vehicle registration or title with you. It is much easier for a thief to dispose of the car if he has the registration or title.

Step 3 – Use your garage. Lock the car, and then lock the garage. If you do not have a garage, park your car in a well-lighted place. For driveway parking, park your car forward in the driveway if it is front wheel drive and back it in if it is rear wheel drive. This makes the vehicle more difficult to tow.

Step 4 – If your vehicle has an alarm, use it.

Step 5 – Etch the VIN (vehicle identification number) on each window. Etching makes the vehicle less attractive to thieves and identifies the car if stolen.

In addition to the steps above, a variety of anti-theft options are available to reduce the chances of car theft and aid in vehicle recovery. In many cases, use of anti-theft devices will reduce your car insurance premiums.

Some of the more popular anti-theft options include steering wheel locks, wheel locks, engine disablers, ignition cut-offs, and electronic recovery systems.

Nation-wide, a car is stolen every 29 seconds. The risk of higher car insurance rates, identity theft, and paying unexpected costs involved in vehicle recovery or loss may be greatly reduced by using common sense and taking the appropriate measures to ensure that your vehicle is as theft-proof as possible.

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Steps to Take After a Car Accident

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Car accidents are scary and unnerving. In the aftermath of an accident, you may want nothing more than to get away from the scene so that you can recover mentally and physically. In the case of a minor accident in which you are not seriously injured, however, there are some important steps you can take to make sure that everything goes smoothly with car insurance companies.

-First, always be sure to have these documents in your glove compartment at all times: your car insurance information; paper and a pencil; a disposable or cheap digital camera. It is a good idea to keep several photocopies of your car insurance information, too.

-After an accident, exchange names, addresses, driver’s license, and car insurance information with the driver of the car.

-Take photos of the scene. If the other driver doesn’t have a camera, and your camera is digital, you may want to be polite and ask if he or she would like you to email copies of the photos. Be sure to get close-up photos of any damage that may have been caused by the accident. If the cars are still in the same places as they were immediately after impact, be sure to take distance photos of all cars involved in order to clearly show the positions of all vehicles. If the cars have been moved, photograph the area where impact happened, being sure to include any traffic signals or signs, skid marks on the road, etc.

-Do not leave the scene of the accident until police arrive! You want them to know your version of what happened. If you leave the scene and the other drive talks to the police, the police report could include only his or her perspective on events. Be sure to get the name of the police officer, too, and write it down. Sometimes officers don’t file reports on “minor” accidents (accidents in which no one was hurt, no matter how damaged the vehicles may be). If a report isn’t filed on your accident and you need the officer to testify, knowing his or her name will make things a lot easier.

-Report the accident to your car insurance company immediately; even if both you and the other driver seem to agree that you weren’t at fault. You want to make sure that your insurance company has your version of events on record if the other driver’s insurance company comes knocking—even, or especially, if you aren’t at fault. Don’t be concerned about increased car insurance rates, because state laws usually protect no-fault drivers from increased rates.

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Tips for Utilizing Roadside Assistance

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Before purchasing online car insurance, you need to assess you and your families’ needs so that you select options that will keep you financially and physically safe.

One of the options that you have available to you as an add-on to your online auto insurance policy is roadside assistance. While some may view roadside assistance as an unnecessary extra, most people find themselves in at least one situation that would require roadside assistance some time in their life.

What Is Roadside Assistance?
The most fundamental form or roadside assistance will allow you, with one phone call, to get help were you to run out of gas or break down on the side or the road for whatever reason. With roadside assistance, you could have access to help such as roadside repairs (changing a flat tire, transporting a gallon of gas to you, refastening a loose wire in your engine) or towing to a station within a specified distance, free of charge. Depending on how much you travel by car, having this kind of assistance at your disposal can be quite a stress-reliever as well as save you substantial money in the long run.

Tips When Stranded Roadside
Whether your car is reliable or not, chances are there will come a time that you will be stranded on the side of the road. In this case, if you opted for carrying roadside assistance when choosing an online auto insurance policy it will take a lot of the stress and possible expense off of your shoulders. However, you should still be aware of and take the proper safety precautions when stranded roadside.

• First and foremost, prepare for the worst. Taking proper precautionary measure before you take a road trip will save you a lot of stress and keep you protected in the case of breakdown.
- Pack your car with an emergency kit
- Know basic car repair (how to check change a tire, check a car battery and fluids)

• If you are in a remote area when your car breaks down, stay with your vehicle – especially in extreme weather. An automobile is easier to find than a single, solitary person.

• Conserve water. This is especially important if you are in a desert or hot area. Also, remain in the shade. If there is no shade available, get under your car. In extremely hot areas, hiking even a few miles without water could kill you and the water in your car’s radiator is not safe to drink. It is mixed with ethylene glycol, which is toxic when consumed.

• If you are in a cold climate, and you are running the car’s motor, be sure that the exhaust is not coming into the car. Clear any debris or snow away from your car’s tailpipe. Keep your ears open. If your car engine is making more noise than usual, your exhaust may have a leak in it, which increases the risk of toxic gases seeping into the vehicle and poisoning you.

• Make yourself visible to rescuers. You can do this by opening the hood of your vehicle, sweeping the snow off of your car or waving both arms overhead when a plane passes.

• If someone stops and offers you help, try to find a group of people, or a family, who can help you, and steer clear of single men.

No matter where you are stranded, what kind of online auto insurance policy you have at your back, or how well you have prepared for any roadside mishap, there is no substitute for keeping your cool. Call 911 if there is an emergency. If you do not have a cell phone, make a sign that instructs passersby to call 911 for you.

To find affordable online car insurance, CarInsuranceQuotes.com can help. You can peruse our site, any time of day or night, to find the cheapest online auto insurance policy that will suit you and your families needs. We’ll find you an assortment of quotes in a few minutes; from established insurance companies you recognize and trust.

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Night Blindness and Driving

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Night blindness is a common condition that is characterized by a reduced ability to see at night or in environments with reduced light. If you’re shopping for car insurance online, you probably won’t be asked if you have night blindness, and the condition won’t affect your ability to obtain affordable insurance quotes online. However, those who have night blindness are at a much greater risk of being in an auto accident during the nighttime hours, so it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms so they can be addressed. You may have night blindness if:

• You find your vision is generally poorer at night
• You have trouble readjusting to the darkness after passing oncoming cars
• Your vision is blurred in semi or total darkness
• You see a blinding glare or halo around streetlights and oncoming headlights
• You have trouble seeing stars on nights that are clear
• You find street signs are harder to read at night

The good news is that in many cases the root causes of night blindness can be addressed. If you experience any of these symptoms while driving at night, make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. He or she may be able to prescribe eyeglasses or perform surgery to solve the problem. Remember, car accidents will affect your ability to obtain cheap car insurance online and get affordable insurance quotes online. Therefore, if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s important to avoid driving at night whenever possible until they have been addressed.

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Rental Vehicles: To Insure or Not to Insure

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Every year, countless people head to other parts of the country and the world to get away from it all. In many instances, vacationers decide to rent a car to get around while they’re away. The issue of whether it is necessary to purchase car insurance for rental vehicles is a confusing one for many people. Here are a few points to keep in mind.

If you’re already covered, it’s usually not necessary to purchase rental insurance. If you have car insurance already, the coverage you have on your own vehicle will simply be switched over to your rental during your vacation. Many rental companies will try to sell you liability insurance and personal accident insurance, but these are types of coverage that would be included in your existing car insurance policy. In addition, certain credit card companies such as American Express offer rental car insurance as part of their services, depending on the type of card you have.

The collision damage waiver shifts liability to the insurance company. Although quite expensive, this type of coverage may be worth considering. If you are in a collision, the costs are assumed by the rental company, not your insurance provider. This can increase the likelihood that you will be able to secure cheap insurance quotes in the future.

Your best bet is to plan ahead. You don’t want to get caught without adequate coverage, but you shouldn’t get stuck paying for duplicate coverage either. The best strategy is to contact your car insurance provider before your trip to find out exactly what types of coverage you have and what you should consider purchasing. Taking the time to do this will protect you and help you get cheap insurance quotes in the future because it will ensure you are complying with all standards and regulations.

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Safe Driving Tips for Older Drivers

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

As most people age, the quality of their vision and hearing diminish, and many older drivers also have a harder time processing information. Of course, some people can drive perfectly until they are in their nineties, but for most of the population, older motorists drive slower and their reaction times aren’t what they used to be. For these reasons, older drivers must take extra precaution when hitting the road. Here are some safe driving tips for older drivers:

Hang up the Phone: A cell phone conversation can be a dangerous distraction. Studies have shown that people talking on a cell phone while driving are just as dangerous as drunk drivers.

Eliminate Distractions: Nowadays, our cars are filled with just as many media devices as our home. Minimize your driving risk by keeping all of these distractions turned off while driving.

Wear Your Seat Belt: This is just common sense. A seat belt increases your chance of surviving an accident exponentially. Plus, it is illegal to not wear your seat belt in most states.

Avoid Stressful Driving Situations: If you are traveling to a big city or unfamiliar territory, seek the assistance of a younger driver, or allow extra time to find your destination.

Keep your Car Maintained: Of course you can always call a tow truck if you get in trouble, but avoid the situation all together and keep your car well maintained. Have the tires checked regularly, change the oil, and have your brakes inspected every six months. Its easier to prevent a breakdown than endure one.

Take a Driving Course: Everyone can benefit from a refresher course in driving rules, especially older drivers. There are some free courses offered by the Secretary of State in many states, or contact a local driving school and sign up.

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